Tube mechanism



March 3, 1931. E. A. BOHLMAN ET AL TUBE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 51. 1927 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Erna-71750157127522 ZZbrrz'sfiase I March 3, 1931. E. A. BOHLMAN ET AL 1,794,753

TUBE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented M a r. 3, 1931 v .LOGG SWITCHBOARI) AND TION or ILLINOIS TUBE Mncn i'nisivi "Application filed Decembcr fil lsm. Serial No; 243,800,

Our invention'relates to mechanism used in connection with the manufacture of audion 'tubes and more especially to a machine provided with aligning means for supporting an audion tube structurecsuch as the glassen' velope during the tube basing process and an object ofour invention is the provision of an improved machinestruoture which is simple in construction, most efficientin its operation and in which the tubes are rigidly supported during the base baking process to ,maintain the glass envelope andbase in alignment relative to each othen Q 1 The machine of our invention is especially adapted for use with audion tubes of the type "known in the art as alternating current tubes which are provided with a tube base of the usual character from which project terminal contact pins for the usual purposes and'an auxiliary-base orcap carrying contact pins 1 which form the terminals of the resistance element of the-tube; It is understood, hovvever, ,tliat our machine 'may be used'to baseother N types or" tubes. The base andauxiliary base or capoi" the alternating'current tube are supported on the extreinitiesfof the glass envelope of the-tube and secured thereto by'means of suitable cement which is hardened by means oif a suitable baking process.

v that the machineof our, invention "is applicable.

It is essential that thebase and auxiliary base :or cap of the tube are properly aligned on the glass envelope relative to eachother and it is also essential that means bieprovided to'hold them so until the cementwhichse .cures them to the extremities of the glass envelope s baked hard and itis'to ,thisend A feature of our'invcntion' is the provision ofa rotatable member to Which areise'cured a plurality of supportingimembers which support the glassenvelopes and attached bases 'and'caps at the extremities of the-envelopes in their travel through a suitable heating chamber to bake and harden'the cement which securesthe bases and caps to the extremities of the glass envelopes, v

Another feature of our invention is the provision of recessed portions or aligning seats in the supporting members receivingthej cementing machine of ourinventi o'n'; v

bases and caps having been placed on w the extremities of the glass envelopes to align Another feature of-our invention is the provision of a pair of rollers rotatably-and adjustably supported on an adjustable ,memher which engage respectively thejcapsfand bases on the glass envelopes in their travel past theroller's to positively seat the bases and caps in the. respective aligning s'ea'tsQot the on the glass envelopesrelative to each otiw l ERNEST A. BOHLIVIAN ennivionnisiaosiifor CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS EPOYKEL- SUPPLY COMPANY, on cniceeo iminois', A ooRroR A- the supporting members .to ,insure'; positive overcome any slightirregularitieswhich may alignmentot the basesand capson the glass envelopes relative to each other, and to also r be present when the caps and bases areplajced,

onthe glass envelopes.

I Still 7 another feature of our invention. is; w the provision of automatic clampingineans 7:0.

associated with the supporting members;

Which is applied 'verticallyagainst. the caps-- of thetubes after they have passed the rollers to maintain thebases andfcaps in aligned. r

position during their travel through a heating. chamber'to harden the cement which secures them to the extremities of the glass ea velopes. Means are also provided for release v ingv the clamping. means automatically -after their-travel: through the heating chamber to permit the tubesto be removedfrom the supporting members. I

The above features asiwell asfothers not herein specifically pointedfout'lwill be more I fully; described in the ensuing and appended claims. I 4 V For a inorecomplete understanding of our specification invention reference may be had;t o the acconipanying drawings in whi'ch like reference; characters in; the several views denote like parts and inWhich':

Fig-21 is plan We teas r dbaii.

i Fig.2" is front elevationo'f a portion of I tubes r Fig. 3 is an enlarged si'de elevation of one Q of the tube supporting bracketS a d'its j 'i sociated par 8;

Fig. 4 is a sectional viewalong the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. V V

Referring now more in detail to our invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings the machine of our invention comprises a supportingjrodor post 2 which is secured to a suitable pedestal or base (not shown) Ahollow shaft 3 through which the supportlng rod or post 2 extends has secured to its one extremity a suitable worm gear enclosed in a casing 100 which gear meshes with a worm also in the casing. The worm is driven through suitable connecting machinery by a suitable power means such as a" motor and through the medium of the worm vgearpworm and motor, the hollow shaft is rotated at a predetermined speed for purposes as willbe presently described.

A spideri6 is provided which is secured to the hollow shaft 3 near its upper extremity by means of a suitable set screw 7, and an annular ring 8 integrally formed with the spider 6 has secured to it a plurality of radially disposed arms forty in number to which the ali'gnln'g brackets 9 are secured,

and which aligning brackets 9 carry the.

glass envelopes .a ndattached bases and caps through a suitable heating chamber as will be more fully hereinafter described. :Each arm 10' has associated with'it an aligning bracket 9 and as each arm 10 and aligning bracket 9 is similarin construction and as 1 each arm 10 is secured to the spider 6 and as each aligning bracket 9 is in turn secured to'an arm 10 in a'simila'r manner a description of an arm lO'a-n its associated aligning bracket 9 will suffice. 7

The arm 10 is secured to the annular ring portion 8 ofthe spider 6 means ofa suitable bolt 11, and the free end of the arm 10 is provided with an integrally formed plate portion 12 provided with an angular face 13 against which the aligning bracket?) is socured. The aligning bracket 9, of which there are forty in I1L1111bl,1$ provided with an intermediate offset portion 14 having a finished face 15 which rests against the angular face 13 of the arm 10 and screws16 passing through suitable orifices in the intermediateportion 12' of the aligning bracket- 9 have threaded engagement with tapped orifices in the face 1-3,.of the plate 12 integral with the armlO-to secure the bracket 9 thereto. A verticalcap' aligning seat or channel 17 in the face 18 of the upperportion or head 19 of-t'he aligning bracket 9 is ofa size toreceive the auxiliary base or cap 20-on the upper extremityof the glass envelope 21' and abase aligning seator channel 22in the face.

23 of' the bottom portion of the bracket 9 and in alignment with the cap aligning channel. 17 inlthe. upper portion'19fof the bracket 9 is of a. size to receive the base 24 ,011 the lower extremity of the glass envelope of the tube. the bottom portion of the bracket 9 are provided with aligned orifices 26 which are adapted to receive a stub shaft 27 which supports a pair of rollers 28 fixed to the. shaft 27 for purposes'as will presently be described.

Having described in detail one of the aligning brackets 9, we will now describe how an audion tube of. the type previously referred to is positioned on an aligning bracket 9 preparatory to its travel through the heating chambers 29 and 30 to bake and harden the cement which permanentlyaffixes the auxiliary base or cap-2O and base 24 to the and the bottom face 31 of the base 24 servingas a pivotpointpermitting the base 24 of the tube to enter the base aligning channel 22 in the lower'portion' of the bracket 9 and permitting the auxiliary base or cap 20 to'e'nter the cap aligning channel 17 in the upper portion or head 19 of'the bracket 9. The depth of the cap'aligning channel 17 relative to'the depth of the base aligning channel 22 issuch as to place thecap 20 and base 24in alignment. The terminals 35 propair of ears 25 depending from truding laterally from the cap 20 rest in a transverse shallow channel. 36 in the'upper portion 19 of the bracket 9 when the cap 20 is positioned in the cap aligning channel 17 to position them relative to the depending terminals 32 of the base. V

Aspider 37 secured to the upper end of the supporting rod 2' is provided with an arcuate shaped rib 38 from which depend lugs 39 to which 18 secured an arcuate shaped rail'40 for purposes aswlll presently be described.

The upper portion '19 of the bracket 9 is pro- 7 videdwith a channel 41 of the same width and depth as the cap aligning channel and in alignment therewith and is adapted to receivua spring retaining member 42 which is secured in the channel 41 by means of screws 43. extends through a central orifice45in'spring' A .cl-amping'memb'er or' rod 44 retainingniember .42 and is provided with" an enlarged head 46,' and a coil. spring- 47 which encircles the reduced portion of the clamping rod 44 and is containedwithin the orifice-45 of the member 42 is] provided for. purposes as will presently be described. The end 44 of the reduced portion of the rod which protrudes through an orifice 48 in the end ofthespring retaining member. 42 is associated' with a lever 50 which is pivotallysupported intermediate of its ends by means of the pivot pin 51 which passes through; aligned orifices in a pair of ears 52 integrally formed with the "bracket 9. IA pin passing throughthe bifurcated end "50- of the lever 50 and theprotruding'end of the clamping a portion of its travel of onecomplete revo-u rod 44 linksthelever 50 and clamping rod 44 together. The free end of the lever.'50

rotatably supports a roller 55 which-engages the areuaterail 40 securedto the spider for lution for purposes as Will'pre'sentlybe describedl As before described the machine of our invention is provided with forty arms '1O and attached aligning brackets 9 which rotate at a predetermined speed through the upper and lower heating chambers-'29 and 30. The

speed of the machine is so adjusted as, to provide proper baking time for the caps. VWhile" our device is provided to handle forty tubes at one time it is obvious that it may be made to handle any predetermined number of tubes. The upper and lowerheating chambers 29 and 30 arehorseshoe shaped and of U shaped cross section, the upper chamber 29 being inverted andis secured to the arms 56 of spider 3? supported on the supporting rod 2. The lower heating chamber 30 is suspend;

ed from the upper chamber 29 by means of suitable straps 57' whichare securedrespectively to the upper and lower chambers 29 andl30 by meansof suitable screws'jGas leads in the form of, pipes 58 supportedin the respective chambers 29 and 30-are pro v vided with a plurality of vents for the passage of the-gas flame to heat the chambers 29 and 30. The gap betweenfthe respective. ends 29,' 29 and 30, 30? of theiheating chainhers 29 and 30 permitsthe, finished tubes to beremovedfrom/the"aligning brackets9 and tubesto be baked inserted in the {brackets 9. The oven maybe heated by electricity or any other desired means. The temperature of the chambers is regulated to properly bake V the bases ontheitubes. f 1} I The arcuaterail40which'is securedftothedepending lugs 39 0f the 38 is provided 3 with taperedends 40s and 40 'anc'lfthes'egta-fl pere d ends 40' Iand40? ,anduail 40cooperate with the rollers 55 rotatabl rsu aortedon the v y .l pl

' levers 50 pivotally' secured, tothehligning br'acket 9 as before described; As the bracket 9 continues itsfrota'tion in the direction of the arrow-in Fig; 1 the cap 20 and base 24 are:

engagedby a pair of rollers 60 and 61 bell crank lever 62 pivotally secured between a pair of depending ears 63 integral with an arm 56 of'the spider 37' pivotally supports a plate 64: to which .is' secured a bar 65 by means of screws66 the respectivevends of which support rotatable rollers 60 a1id61.

The arm 62 ofthebell crank lever '62 is provided with an orifice to permit the pas;

sage of a bolt 67, theend'of which protrudes through the arm 56 of the spider 3'7. A hell.

cal spring 68 around the protruding end of the bolt67'is placedunder compression by a V nut 69 having threaded engagement with the bolt67 and an adjusting bolt 70 having the arm 56 of the spider gTengages the free end of the arms62 of the bell crank lever 62.

As thealignin'g-bracket .9 rotates in the di-' rection of the arrow the rollers 60 and 61 supported on the. lever 62 as just described engagerespectively the cap 20 and basef24 positioned in the aligning channels 17 and 22 inthe bracket 9. The adjusting bolt-70 which engages the free end of thearm62' of "the bell-crank lever 62 may be raised or low ered to adjust the rollers '60 and 61, relative to the cap '20 andbase 24 of the audion tube supported in the bracket 9 so that vas the a cap 20 and base 24 pass the respective rollers I 60 and 61 aslight-pressure is applied thereto 7 I through the agency of the adjustable spring 68 to overcome any slight irregularities which I beupresen't in the alignment ofthe cap 20 and base 24"when the same were placed on the, extremities otthe glass envelope 21 and also insure perfect seating of the cap 20 and, base 24 in the respective aligning channels17 and 22in the bracket 9.- I I The in'stantthat the aligned cap 20 and base 24 in their travel have passed the respec v tive rollers 60s'and 61'the roller 55 on the lever 50 engages the-tapered'end 40 of'the rail '40 andzthe clamping. rod 44 is-moved" down under theinfiuence of the spring 4'? causing thesame to engagethe top face'of the cap 20 to exert a downward pressure to maintain, the'cap' 2O andbaseg-24 in aligned positionrelative'to each other. ,Thebracket 9 now ,entersatheopen ends 29 and 30 of the respectiveheating chambers29 and 30 and continues its rotation with the, cap 20 traveling through the upper heatingehamber; 29 and th'e base'24 travelingthrough the lower heating chamber 30. The spider 6 se-j cured to thehollow shaft 3 rotates at a pre determinedspeed and as' the cap20 and base v 24 travel throu'ghjthe heatingchambers'29 "80the cementfor aftizring the cap2Oai1d base 24 {to the respectivef'ends of the glass envelope-21 is bakedv and hardened and when the'bracket 9'and its supported'audion tube emerges'it'rom'thexotherends 29 and 30" of the heating-chambers 29 and'30 the cap 20 and basef24 arerpermanently secured in "position 80 threaded engagement with a-tapped orlfice'in 1 of the spring 47. The end 46 of the clamping rod 44 now disengages the cap 20 and permit-s the finished audiontube to be removed from the bracket 9.

In describing the operation of the machine thus far we have only described the cycle of operation of one of the aligning brackets 9 7 but as there are forty aligning brackets 9 rotating at a predetermined speed it is apparent that as the brackets'9 successively emerge from the ends 29 and of the heating chambers 29 and 30 the finished productis removed from the aligning brackets 9 and the empty brackets 9 are again filled with glass envelopes 21 and the attached caps 20 and base 24 and after passing the aligning rollers 60 and 61 enter the heating chambers 29 and 30 to be baked and again 'ernergefrom the other end affixed permanently to the glass envelopes.

The tubes are placed in the brackets in one way and when placed therein the brackets line up the caps and bases relative to each other and position the same relative to the glass envelopes.

The contact pins or terminalsinthe upper caps engage an upper portion of the wall of brackets as shown 'most clearly in Fig. 4

while the contact pins or studsin-the base straddle the shaft 27 and the pin in the side of the base enters the recessed portion 102 of the retaining brackets. The rollers press the cluding brackets for supporting audion tubes,

caps and bases into position and the upper spring pressed shaft retainsthecap, base and envelope in position during the baking operation. The spring pressure is applied to the upper portion of the tube justafter the rollers have pressed the cap and base into position. r v

' V1 1111s we have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the exact structure as shown and described but aim to cover all such changes and modifications which may come within the spirit and scope of the appended claims;

Having described our invention, what We claim is new and desire'to secure by United States Letters Patent is: 7 7

1. A machine of the character describedinia rotatable shaft and aspider secured to said shaft for supporting said brackets, and means.

including a pair of channels in said brackets for automaticallyaligning the base and auxiliary base of said audion tubes relative to.

each other.

2. A machine of the character described in-,

3. A machine of the character described" including brackets for supporting audion tubes during a basing period of said tubes, heating chambers associated with said'machine, a rotatable shaft and a spider secured to said shaft for supporting said brackets, means including a pair of channels in said brackets for automatically aligning the bases and auxiliary bases of said audion tubes rela tiveto eachother, and clamping means for maintaining said bases in alignment during their travelthrough said heating chambers.

4. A machine of the character described in- V eluding brackets for supporting audion tubes,

each'of which has a main base and an auxiliary base, during a basing operation of said tubes, a rotatable shaft and .a spider secured thereto for supporting said brackets, seats in ,saidbrackets adapted to receive thebases and auxiliary bases of said audion tubes to automatically align the same relative to each other, and clamping means for maintaining said bases in aligned position.

5. A machine of the class described including brackets for supporting audion tubes each of which has a main base and an auxiliary base during the basing of said tubes, a rotatable shaft and a spider secured thereto for IOU supporting said brackets,seats in said brackets adapted toreceive the bases and auxiliary bases of said audion tubes to align thesame' relative to each other, .and spring pressed means adaptedto engage said respective bases to positively align the saidbases in theirrespective seats.

7 6. A machineof the character'described including brackets for supporting audion tubes.

each of which has a main base and an auxiliarybase during the basing of said tubes, a rotatable shaft and. a spider secured thereto for supporting said brackets,'seats in said brackets adapted toreceivethe bases .and auxiliary bases of said audion tubes to align the same relative to each other, spring'pressed means adapted to engage said respective bases as said brackets travel past saidspring pressed means, and clamping means associated with said brackets for maintaining said audion tubes and attached bases in their aligned positions. 7 i

; 7. A machine of the character," described including brackets for supporting audion tubes each of whichhas a main base and an auxiliary base, heating chambers associated with said machine, a rotatable shaft and a spider secured thereto for supporting said brackets, seats in said brackets adapted to receive the ing said clamping means when said brackets bases and auxiliary bases of'said audion tubes to align the same relative to each other, spring pressed means adapted to engage said respective bases to positively align said bases in.

ported parts, seats in said brackets adapted toreceive and align the bases and auxiliary bases of said tubes, clamplng means assoc1- ated with said brackets formamtaming said bases in their aligned position. but ineii'ective during a portion of the travel of said aligning brackets topermit the insertion and removal of said audion tubes and attached bases on said brackets. I

v9. A machine of the character described including brackets for supporting audion tubes each of which has a main base and an auxiliary base during the basing process of said tubes, a rotatable shaft, a spider secured thereto for supporting said brackets, power means for rotating said shaft and its supported parts, seats insaid brackets adapted to receive the bases and auxiliary basesof said tubes to align the same relative to each other, heating chambers associated with said machine, spring pressed means adapted to engage the respective bases to positively align said bases in their respective seats in their 7' including rotatable brackets for supporting travel past said spring pressed means, clamp ing means associated withsaid brackets ef-I' fee tive after said bases have passed said spring pressed means to maintain said bases in aligned position duringtheir travel through said heating chambers, and means for releasemerge from saidheating chambers to permit the removal of said tubes andattached' tube holders adapted to receive an audion.

tube and its base, a roller member for automatically positioning the A tube relative to the tube holder, and spring means rotatable with the holder for maintaining the envelope of the tube in position with the tube base.

12. A tube machine of they character described provided with arotatable member having tube holders adapted to receive audion tubes having upper and lower bases, spring pressed me'ans adapted to contactxwith the bases of the tube to position thesame, and

other means "adapted tozpressagainst one of said bases for holdingrthe basesin position relative to the envelopeofsaid tube.

a 13. A tube machine of .the character '-de scribed provideduwith aiotatable member having tube holders adapted to receive audion tubes having upperfand: lower. bases, means including a pair of rollers adapted to contact with .LthebaseS "of. the tube lto position the same, spring means adapted to press against one of said bases for holding the bases in position relative'to the envelope of said tube, and automatic means for releasing the pressure exerted by said spring upon the .said base of said tube.

'14. A machine of the character described} including a movable member provided with tube holders adapted to receive audion tubes, aroller member for said machine for aligning the envelopes of the tubes relative to their bases, and clamping means for maintaining. the envelopes of the tubes positioned relative to their bases.

15. ,A machine of the character described including brackets for supporting audion tubes and their bases, seats in said brackets adapted to'receive the bases of said tubes to align'the same relative to the envelopes of said tube, spring pressed means adapted to press the tube bases to align the same relative to their envelopes, and clamping means for maintaining said audion tubes and bases in their aligned positions.

16. A machine of the character described audion tubes, means on said brackets adapted to receive-the bases of said tubes, roller members for positioning said basesin said brack 'ets, clamping means assoclated with said brackets for maintaining said bases and the tube envelopes in aligned position, and means for rendering said clamping means ineffective to permit the insertion and removal of said audion tubes.

f 17 A machine of the character described jincluding rotatable brackets for supporting audion tubes, means on said brackets adapted to receive .the bases of said tubes, rollermembers for positively positioning said bases in" said brackets, heating chambersassociated with said machlne, and clamping means associated with said brackets for maintaining tubes, roller members for positively position- 1ng said bases in said brackets, heatlng cham- 7 bers associated with said machine, clamping m'eans associated With said brackets for maintaining said bases and envelopes in aligned position during their travel through said heating chamber, and means for releasing said clamping means When the brackets emerge from said heating chambers to per mit removal of said tubes and bases.

Signed by us, at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 29th day of December, 1927.

' ERNEST A. BOHLMAN.

MORRIS ROSE. i 

